UP minister booked for 'irregularities' in medicine purchase

The UP minister has been charged with procuring medicines in violation of rules and regulations, sources said.

In an embarrassment to the Mayawati government, a case has been registered against one of its ministers for alleged irregularities in the purchase of medicines a few years ago.

Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a case against Minister of State for Land Development Raghunath Prasad and several others in connection with irregularities in purchase of medicines worth Rs 35 lakh in Barabanki district in 2003-04, according to sources in Lucknow on Saturday.

Prasad, who was then the chief medical officer of Barabanki, has been charged with procuring medicines in violation of rules and regulations, sources said.

Prasad, following his retirement, had joined the BSP and had been elected to the state assembly from Bhognipur in the recent polls.

The EOW had been entrusted with the job of conducting an inquiry into the matter, sources said.

The case against Prasad had been registered in Barabanki, sources added.